546 new COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths rported in B.C.; Vancouver Coastal Health urging Whistler residents to continue to follow public health restrictions

Vancouver Coastal Health says 288 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Whistler from the start of the year through Tuesday.

It says most of them are young people in their 20s and 30s who live, work and socialize together.

The health agency is urging Whistler residents and potential visitors to continue to follow public health restrictions to lower the rising number of COVID-19 infections.

It says Whistler experienced a similar spike in cases in November, which was resolved in early December.

B.C. reported 546 new cases, including five epi-linked cases, for a total of 66,265 cases.

There are 4,455 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.

There are 291 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 75 of whom are in intensive care.

To date, 127,255 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., 4,185 of which are second doses.